The Complete Guide to 9 TCM Body Constitutions and Precision Conditioning

Quick Navigation: Discover Your Body Type

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What is Tongue Diagnosis?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the tongue is closely connected to the internal organs, meridians, and collaterals. For example, the tip of the tongue corresponds to the Heart and Lungs, the center corresponds to the Spleen and Stomach, the root corresponds to the Kidneys, and the sides correspond to the Liver and Gallbladder. By observing abnormal changes in different areas, one can infer pathological changes in the corresponding organs. In addition, the operational status of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids is manifested through the features of the tongue body (color) and tongue coating (the thickness, moisture, and dryness of the surface covering).

Why the Tongue? (A Modern Scientific Perspective)

Modern research has found that the tongue is the only “exposed” internal organ of the human body. Its thin mucosa and rich capillaries make it a sensitive bio-indicator reflecting blood circulation, nutritional status, and microbial changes:

1. Microcirculation Indicator: Changes in tongue color are directly related to hemoglobin concentration and blood oxygen saturation.
2. Microbial Balance: Coating thickness is closely linked to oral flora imbalance and digestive function.
3. Neural Feedback: There are reflexive connections between tongue nerves and internal organs; pathological changes may influence tongue manifestations through neural signals.

TCM categorizes the human body into nine types of constitutions, each with its unique tongue manifestations, physiological and psychological traits, and disease tendencies. Below is a detailed, in-depth analysis of each constitution along with targeted product conditioning suggestions.

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1. Balanced Constitution (Ping He)

The Balanced constitution is the most ideal state among the nine TCM body types, characterized by harmony of Qi and Blood, balance between Yin and Yang, and no obvious physical deviation. Individuals with this type are usually energetic, have a glowing complexion, good sleep, a normal diet, regular and smooth bowel movements, emotional stability, strong adaptability, and a low risk of disease.

Tongue Manifestations:

• Tongue and Pulse Features: Light pink tongue body, thin white coating, and a gentle, forceful pulse.

I. Main Manifestations of Balanced Constitution

• Physiological Features:
  • High Energy: Not easily fatigued during daily activities; rapid physical recovery.
  • Glowing Complexion: Delicate skin with a natural glow, natural lip color, and lustrous hair.
  • High-Quality Sleep: Fast onset of sleep, deep sleep with few or no dreams, and feeling refreshed upon waking.
  • Normal Digestion: Stable appetite, not a picky eater, and regular, smooth bowel movements.
  • Balanced Excretion: Clear urine and formed stools without constipation or diarrhea.
• Psychological Features:
  • Emotional Stability: Peaceful mindset; not easily anxious, depressed, or irritable.
  • Cheerful Personality: Friendly and possessing a strong ability to adapt to social and environmental changes.
• Adaptability:
  • Tolerance to Cold and Heat: High tolerance for cold or hot environments; rarely falls ill due to weather changes.
  • Strong Disease Resistance: Low probability of seasonal infections (e.g., flu); fast recovery after illness.

II. Other Characteristics of Balanced Constitution

• Proportional Build: Stable weight and firm muscles without obvious obesity or thinness.
• Normal Menstruation (Women): Regular cycles and moderate flow without pain or blood clots.
• Healthy Development (Children): Normal growth speed and intelligence consistent with peers.

III. How to Judge if You Are Balanced?

You may belong to the Balanced constitution if you meet these criteria:

• No obvious physical discomfort (e.g., long-term pain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold/heat).
• Medical indicators (e.g., blood pressure, blood sugar, lipids) are within normal ranges long-term.
• TCM diagnosis reveals no obvious Qi/Blood deficiency or organ dysfunction.

IV. Maintenance Suggestions

Although healthy, maintenance is required through regular routines, a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and emotional management. If long-term fatigue, decreased appetite, or sleep disorders appear, it may indicate a shift in constitution, requiring timely lifestyle adjustments or consultation with a TCM practitioner for intervention.

【Balanced Constitution · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Product: Herbal Stress Relief Bracelet – Natural Calm & Relaxation Jewelry
• Reason: Even in a balanced state, modern stress can disrupt your equilibrium. This bracelet, featuring Sandalwood and Borneol, helps maintain mental clarity and emotional stability, preventing the “empty fire” of stress from shifting your constitution toward stagnation.

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2. Qi Deficiency (Energy Depletion)

Qi Deficiency is a physiological state caused by insufficient Primordial Qi, manifesting as fatigue, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, and weak resistance. It involves decreased organ functions and can be categorized into Lung Qi, Spleen Qi, Heart Qi, and Kidney Qi deficiency, with symptoms focusing on different organs.

Constitution Features and Tongue Manifestations: People with Qi deficiency are usually thin or “puffily fat” (soft muscles), with a pale or sallow complexion and pale lips. The tongue manifestations often show a puffy tongue body with teeth marks on the edges and a thin white coating; the pulse is weak, thin, or slow. Long-term untreated Qi deficiency may develop into Yang deficiency, featuring cold aversion and ice-cold limbs.

Common Symptom Manifestations:

• General Fatigue: Feeling heavy in limbs and a lack of spirit; fatigue after slight activity is not significantly relieved by rest. Severe cases may involve dizziness and instability when standing.
• Shortness of Breath: Breathlessness when talking or exercising, especially needing frequent breaks when climbing stairs or walking fast (more prominent in Lung Qi deficiency).
• Spontaneous Sweating (Non-activity related): Abnormal daytime sweating not caused by exercise, heat, or diet; night sweats may occur. Prone to wind and colds after sweating.
• Low Immunity: Prone to recurrent colds with a long course and slow recovery; sensitive to environmental changes like temperature differences.
• Weak Digestion: Reduced appetite, bloating after meals, soft or unformed stools, or weak bowel movements; may be accompanied by a sallow complexion and soft muscles.

Causes and Direction of Adjustment:

Often caused by congenital insufficiency, chronic illness, overwork, or irregular diet (e.g., dieting or overeating).

• Diet: Eat more Yam, Millet, and Red Dates; avoid raw, cold, or greasy foods.
• Exercise: Choose gentle activities like Tai Chi or Ba Duan Jin; avoid strenuous exercise that consumes Qi.
• Routine: Regular sleep; avoid staying up late or overthinking.
• TCM Intervention: Severe cases may take Buzhong Yiqi Pills or Sijunzi Decoction under medical guidance.

【Qi Deficiency · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Combination: Refreshing Energy TCM Aromatic Herbal Bracelet + Imperial Vitality Blood Tonic Tea (contains Qi-supplementing Milkvetch Root)
• Reason: For those with “low battery” energy, the Aromatic Qi-regulating ingredients in the bracelet provide an instant sensory wake-up call to combat daytime fatigue. The tea, containing Milkvetch Root (Wuzhimaotao) and Ginseng, works internally to supplement vital energy, strengthening the Spleen to improve the heavy feeling in limbs and shortness of breath.

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3. Yang Deficiency (The “Cold” Type)

Yang Deficiency is characterized by insufficient Yang energy and weakened warming functions, manifesting as cold aversion, cold limbs, and lack of spirit. Due to the depletion of Yang energy, the body cannot effectively drive Blood/Qi circulation and organ functions, leading to slowed metabolism and decreased resistance.

Tongue Manifestations:

• Tongue Features: Pale or puffy tongue body, teeth marks on the edges, and a white, slippery coating; the pulse is mostly deep/thin or slow/weak.

I. Typical Symptoms and Manifestations

• Aversion to Cold: Sensitive to low temperatures; hands, feet, and waist/abdomen are cold year-round, worsening in autumn and winter, requiring thick clothing or heating equipment.
• Lack of Spirit: Easily fatigued; often accompanied by shortness of breath, lack of desire to speak, and a pale or dull complexion. Slow recovery after daily activity.
• Weak Digestion: Prone to bloating and diarrhea, especially after eating raw or cold food; stools are loose or unformed.
• Reproductive and Urinary Abnormalities: Men may have decreased libido or frequent nocturnal urination; women commonly have irregular menstruation,痛经 (dysmenorrhea), or clear/thin leucorrhea.

II. Physical Function Characteristics

• Slow Metabolism: Due to insufficient Yang, heat production decreases, leading to low basal body temperature, slow heart rate, and decreased immunity.
• Disease Susceptibility: Prone to wind-cold and recurrent colds; long-term development may lead to chronic bronchitis, arthritis, or chronic diarrhea.

III. Formation and Influencing Factors

• Congenital Factors: Parents with cold constitutions or improper care during pregnancy.
• Acquired Loss: Long-term late nights, overwork, living in cold/damp environments, or eating cold foods (ice cream, raw fruit).
• Medication/Disease: Chronic diseases (e.g., hypothyroidism), frequent use of antibiotics or “cold-natured” drugs (e.g., heat-clearing TCM), which may induce Yang deficiency.

IV. Daily Adjustment Suggestions

• Dietary Supplementation: Eat more warm foods like Lamb, Beef, Leeks, Ginger, and Longan; avoid cold/cool foods like Watermelon, Mung Beans, and cold drinks.
• Protection Against Cold: Focus on warming the waist, abdomen, and joints; sunbathe appropriately (especially the back); avoid staying in air-conditioned rooms for long.
• Moderate Exercise: Jogging, Tai Chi, or Ba Duan Jin to promote Yang; avoid strenuous exercise that consumes Qi.
• Regular Routine: Ensure sufficient sleep; avoid late nights; moxibustion on acupoints like Guanyuan and Mingmen can supplement Yang.

V. Precautions

Yang deficiency requires long-term cultivation. Do not blindly take extremely hot drugs (e.g., Aconite, Cinnamon) without medical guidance. If severe cold aversion, edema, or palpitations occur, seek medical help to rule out organic diseases.

【Yang Deficiency · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Product: Herbal Bracelet for Nocturnal Emission Relief + Longevity Shield & Immune Power Tea
• Reason: Yang deficiency requires a boost in internal “fire.” The bracelet utilizes pungent, warm-natured herbs like Clove and Sandalwood to circulate warmth through the meridians, alleviating cold aversion. The tea complements this by supporting the body’s Immune Power and warming the center, helping to resolve cold limbs and frequent nocturnal urination.

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4. Yin Deficiency (The “Dry” Type)

Yin Deficiency is characterized by insufficient Yin fluids and internal generation of “empty heat.” Main features include heat in palms and soles, tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth/throat, and a red tongue with little coating, often accompanied by insomnia, dizziness, and constipation.

Tongue and Pulse:

• Tongue: Red body, little or no coating; severe cases have cracks on the tongue surface.
• Pulse: Thin and rapid (weak pulse with high frequency).

I. Physiological Features

• Empty Heat Manifestation: Due to insufficient Yin, Yang cannot be constrained, leading to “internal fire.” Afternoon or night tidal fever (elevated temperature without infection), heat in palms and soles, and flushed cheekbones are common.
• Dryness Symptoms: Yin fluids fail to nourish the body, causing dry mouth, dry eyes, dry skin, dry hair, and constipation. Women may have low menstrual flow or shortened cycles.
• Thin Build: Yin deficiency affects nutrient absorption; most are thin with low muscle mass and find it hard to gain weight due to “fire” consumption.

III. Psychology and Emotion

• Irritability: Frequent emotional swings; easily frustrated or anxious over small things.
• Insomnia and Dreaming: Difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep, or excessive dreams; feeling tired upon waking.
• Lack of Spirit: Empty fire consumes Qi, leading to poor concentration and forgetfulness.

IV. Susceptibility to Diseases

• Respiratory: Dry cough without phlegm, chronic pharyngitis.
• Metabolic: Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes (with excessive thirst).
• Gynecological: Irregular menstruation, Menopausal syndrome (worsened night sweats).
• Others: Hypertension (Yin deficiency/Yang hyperactivity), Osteoporosis.

V. Daily Adjustment Suggestions

• Diet: Eat more silver ear fungus, lily, pear, lotus root, black sesame, duck, and tofu. Avoid chili, Sichuan pepper, lamb, and leeks to avoid worsening fire.
• Lifestyle: Reduce late nights (night belongs to Yin). Avoid strenuous exercise (heavy sweating consumes fluids); choose yoga or Tai Chi.
• Emotion: Calm emotions through meditation, deep breathing, or soothing music.

VI. Precautions

• Some symptoms (e.g., night sweats) may be confused with menopause or hyperthyroidism; seek medical diagnosis.
• Avoid blindly taking fire-clearing drugs which may worsen Yin consumption; take Yin-nourishing drugs (e.g., Liuwei Dihuang Pills) under guidance.

【Yin Deficiency · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Combination: Dreaming Butterfly Sleep Aid Aromatic Herbal Bracelet + Tremella Glow Tea: Vegan Collagen & Lung Support
• Reason: To counter “empty heat” and dryness, the bracelet uses Agarwood (Chen Xiang) and Fushen to settle the mind and resolve insomnia caused by internal restlessness. The Tremella (Snow Fungus) and Lily Bulb in the tea provide deep hydration (Vegan Collagen) to nourish the lungs and stomach, effectively quenching chronic thirst and night sweats.

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5. Phlegm-Dampness (The “Heavy” Type)

Phlegm-Dampness is caused by fluid metabolism disorder, leading to the accumulation of Phlegm-Dampness. Typical features include an obese build, oily face, easy fatigue, and thick/greasy tongue coating, often accompanied by chest tightness, excessive phlegm, and sticky stools.

Tongue and Pulse:

• Tongue: Puffy tongue body, teeth marks on edges, thick white or yellow greasy coating; the pulse is slippery or slow/relaxed, reflecting internal moisture stagnation.

I. Core Features of Phlegm-Dampness

• Build and Skin: Mostly obese (especially soft abdomen); high oil secretion on skin/hair, oily face/hair, prone to acne or eczema. Possible eyelid or lower limb edema.
• Physical Feeling and Metabolism: Often feel heavy in the body/limbs; fatigued after activity. Sticky/sweet mouth or bad breath. Stools are sticky and unformed, sticking to the toilet. Women may have excessive leucorrhea.

II. Formation Reasons for Phlegm-Dampness

• Congenital Factors: Inheritance or mother overeating fatty/sweet foods during pregnancy.
• Acquired Factors:
  • Irregular Diet: Long-term consumption of fatty meat, sweets, cold drinks, and alcohol, damaging the Spleen/Stomach.
  • Lack of Exercise: Sedentary lifestyle leads to poor circulation.
  • Damp Environment: Long-term exposure to dampness.
  • Stress: Overthinking leads to internal Phlegm-Dampness.

III. Adjustment Methods and Precautions

• Dietary Suggestions: Clear and moisture-draining: Eat winter melon, coix seed, red bean, yam, white radish. Avoid fatty, sweet, fried, and cold foods. Tea: Chenpi, Poria, Lotus Leaf.
• Exercise and Routine: Aerobic exercise 3-5 times a week, over 30 mins each, with slight sweating. Sleep before 23:00.
• Habits: Keep environment dry. Massage Fenglong and Zusanli acupoints.

【Phlegm-Dampness · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Combination: Spleen and Stomach Harmony Physical Therapy Aromatic Herbal Bracelet + Gut Harmony Digestive Tea: Clove & Lion’s Mane Formula
• Reason: This combination focuses on “awakening” the Spleen to flush out excess moisture. The bracelet uses Patchouli (Huo Xiang) and Amomum (Sha Ren) to clear dampness through aromatherapy, while the Clove and Lion’s Mane in the tea optimize digestive efficiency, helping to reduce abdominal bloating and the “oily” sensation typical of this constitution.

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6. Damp-Heat (The “Inflammatory” Type)

Typical Tongue: Red tongue body, yellow greasy coating. Main features of Damp-Heat include: Obese or thin body type, oily skin prone to acne, bitter/dry mouth, sticky physical feeling, yellow urine, sticky stool, and irritable/angry mood. Prone to eczema, acne, and urinary infections. It is mainly formed by the interweaving of Dampness and Heat.

• Skin Features: High oil secretion, oily face/hair, large pores, acne, eczema, itchy skin. Bad breath or body odor.
• Excretion: Heavy body feeling, yellow and strong-smelling urine, sticky/unformed stool. Women: excessive yellow/smelly leucorrhea.
• Emotion: Easily irritable, restless, insomnia. Accompanied by recurrent mouth ulcers and swollen gums.
• Disease Tendency: Metabolic diseases (high lipids, diabetes), urinary infections, liver/gallbladder diseases.
• Adjustment: Clear heat and drain moisture. Diet: Green beans, winter melon, coix seed; avoid spicy/sweet/greasy foods. Moderate exercise; regular routine.

【Damp-Heat · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Product: Night Owl Recovery Tea: Chrysanthemum & Cassia
• Reason: Specifically designed for those with internal “smoldering” heat, this tea features Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed to clear Liver fire and drain dampness. It is the perfect ritual to resolve the root causes of hormonal acne, bitter mouth, and the irritability associated with Damp-Heat accumulation.

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7. Blood Stasis (The “Stagnant” Type)

Blood Stasis is characterized by poor blood flow and internal obstruction of stagnant blood. Manifestations include a dull complexion, easy bruising, fixed stabbing pain, and a dark purple tongue or purple spots.

I. External Manifestations

• Complexion and Skin: Dull or bluish complexion, dry/rough skin, easy bruising, visible dilated capillaries or varicose veins.
• Pain Characteristics: Fixed location, pain like a needle prick in the head, chest, ribs, or joints, worsening with cold or at night.
• Tongue and Pulse: Dark purple tongue body with bruises or spots, enlarged sublingual veins; thin/astringent or knotted pulse.

II. Physiology and Health Tendency

• Circulation System: Local numbness, cold hands/feet. Women: dysmenorrhea, dark blood with clots.
• Metabolism: Slow wound healing, scars after surgery, possible local masses (uterine fibroids).
• Emotion: Irritable, forgetful, restless, insomnia/dreams, especially waking up between 3-5 AM.

III. Causes Analysis Long-term depression, chronic illness consuming Qi, cold environment, or unhealed trauma. Sedentary lifestyle and eating raw/cold/greasy food worsen it.

IV. Adjustment Suggestions

• Dietary Principles: Eat hawthorn, black fungus, roses. Avoid cold drinks and fatty food.
• Exercise: Activities that promote Blood/Qi flow (Tai Chi, fast walking), over 30 mins daily.
• TCM Intervention: Use Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction or Guizhi Fuling Pill under guidance, or acupuncture on Sanyinjiao and Xuehai points.

【Blood Stasis · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Product: Beauty Nourishing Skin Aromatic Herbal Bracelet + Hormone Harmony Tea: Red Ginseng & Flaxseed
• Reason: To break stagnation, the bracelet employs Angelica (Dang Gui) and Chuanxiong to promote microcirculation and improve a dull, dusky complexion. The Red Ginseng and Flaxseed in the tea help regulate hormones and move the blood from within, targeting fixed pains and dark circles under the eyes.

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8. Qi Stagnation (The “Stressed” Type)

Qi Stagnation is a constitution characterized by poor Qi movement and emotional depression.

Tongue Description: Tongue is usually dark red or pale red, teeth marks on edges, thin white or yellow coating; some have purple spots or cracks; the tongue body is thin/long.

I. Constitution Features and Common Manifestations

• Unstable Emotions: Anxiety, depression, sensitivity, suspiciousness, brooding, or anger.
• Somatic Symptoms: Chest tightness, rib pain, frequent sighing. Women: breast pain, irregular menstruation. Frequent “Plum-pit Qi” (lump in throat feeling).
• Digestion and Sleep: Reduced appetite, bloating, belching, difficulty falling asleep, excessive dreams.
• Adaptability: Sensitive to pressure or rainy weather.

II. Formation Reasons Congenital factors and long-term emotional imbalance (stress, overthinking). Sedentary lifestyle and late nights cause Blood/Qi blockage.

III. Problems and Diseases Depression, anxiety, indigestion, IBS, breast hyperplasia.

IV. Adjustment Suggestions

• Dietary Adjustment: Eat Chenpi, Rose, Bergamot, Citrus. Avoid cold/greasy food.
• Exercise Adjustment: Body-stretching activities (Yoga, jogging, hiking) to help liver Qi flow.
• TCM Intervention: Massage Taichong and Shanzhong points. Use Xiaoyao Powder or Chaihu Shugan Powder under guidance.

【Qi Stagnation · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Combination: Herbal Bracelet for Anxiety & Depression Relief + Midnight Zen Sleep Tea: Sour Date Seed & Lily Bulb
• Reason: The goal is to “push away” emotional knots. The bracelet uses Rose and Jasmine to soothe the liver and regulate Qi flow, relieving chest tightness. The tea’s core ingredient, Sour Date Seed (Suan Zao Ren), is a renowned TCM herb for calming the spirit, ensuring a peaceful transition to sleep for those troubled by overthinking and stress.

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9. Special (The “Allergic” Type)

Sensitive to external stimuli due to congenital insufficiency or allergies.

I. Typical Tongue Features

• Tongue Body: Pale (Qi/Blood deficiency) or red (heat or allergic period).
• Tongue Coating: Thin white (stable period) or thin yellow (acute onset).
• Shape: Cracked tongue (Yin deficiency) or teeth marks (Spleen deficiency/Dampness).

II. Dynamic Changes in Tongue Manifestations Red spots increase during onset, coating turns yellow/greasy; turns pale red/thin white after stabilization. III. Auxiliary Judgment Qi Deficiency type (pale/puffy), Damp-Heat type (red/yellow greasy coating), Blood Deficiency type (pale white). IV. Analysis and Adjustment

• Analysis: Hereditary or fetal-transmitted diseases.
• Disease Tendency: Prone to drug/pollen allergies, hives, asthma. Hereditary diseases (hemophilia, etc.); fetal-transmitted diseases (fetal cold, fetal heat, etc.).
• Health Suggestions: Light and balanced diet. Avoid “trigger” foods (seafood), allergens, alcohol, chili, strong tea, coffee. Wash/dry bedding frequently (dust mites); avoid pets.
• Dietary Adjustment (Allergic people: Reishi Powder):
  • Common allergic constitution, sensitive to smells/pollen; diseases like hives, purpura, allergic cough.
  • Recommendation: Reishi Powder. Regular consumption can prevent allergies.

【Special · Precision Product Recommendation】

• Recommended Combination: Reishi Powder + Herbal Bracelet for Rhinitis Relief – Natural Support for Nasal Congestion & Allergies + Tremella Glow Tea: Vegan Collagen & Lung Support
• Reason: This constitution needs a fortified defense system. The Rhinitis Relief Bracelet provides natural aromatic support for sensitive nasal passages, while the Tremella and Imperata Root in the tea moisten the lungs and strengthen the respiratory barrier. Together with Reishi Powder, they help modulate the immune system to reduce sensitivity to environmental triggers.

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Precautions for Tongue Self-Check

1. Environment and Light:
   • Choose natural soft light; avoid strong light or shadow interference.
   • Avoid observation under colored lights (yellow/blue), which may cause misjudgment.
2. Postures:
   • Naturally relax and extend the tongue, tip lightly touching the lower lip; avoid excessive force or curling.
   • Tongue extension should not exceed 5 seconds; repeated extension may cause color distortion.
3. Exclusions:
   • Diet and Drugs: Do not perform within 30 mins after eating; residue or pigments (coffee, milk) may change the coating. Antibiotics or vitamins may turn the coating yellow or cause it to peel.
   • Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, or late nights may cause a red tongue and thick greasy coating; judge based on habits.
   • Timing: Best upon waking up before brushing teeth.
4. Individual Differences and Systemic Differentiation:
   • Redder tongues in children and darker tongues in the elderly are physiological.
   • Combine with symptoms and pulse; do not rely solely on tongue images.

Summary: Systematically observe tongue body, coating, and dynamic changes. If unsure, take a free scan at Herbivara TCM.

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Ancient Bibliography of Tongue Diagnosis

The history of tongue diagnosis is long and carries high academic value:

• Foundation (Shang to Tang): Mentions in oracle bones; Huangdi Neijing established the theory; Shanghan Lun distinguished tongue body and coating; Zhubing Yuanhou Lun refined observations; Beiji Qianjin Yaofang added a “Tongue Treatise” chapter.
• Maturity (Song to Yuan): Cheng Wuji’s Shanghan Mingli Lun was the earliest thematic discussion on tongue coating; Du Ben’s Ao’s Golden Mirror of Cold Damage collected 120 tongue patterns, the earliest specialized book.
• Ming and Qing Development: Shen Douyuan increased tongue patterns to 137; Zhang Deng revised Shanghan Shejian with 120 maps; Liang Yuyu’s Identification of Tongue Diagnosis evolved into 149 coating types; Fu Songyuan’s Shetai Tongzhi broke limitations; Yang Yunfeng’s Linzhen Yanfan Fa related to Internal Organs.
• Modern Summary: Cao Bingzhang’s Guide to Tongue Diagnosis with Colored Plates first introduced modern anatomical perspectives to explain principles, becoming a vital reference.